U.S. Army and Jordan Armed Forces conduct bi-lateral HIRAIN live-fire exercise

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Ashley Clingerman | MUWAFFAQ SALTI AIR BASE, Jordan – Soldier with Task Force Spartan and the Jordanian Army’s 29th Royal HIMARS Battalion pose for a group photo after the launch of a Guided Multiple Launch Rocket from a Jordanian M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) on July 23, 2018 during the Operation Lion Flight bi-lateral live-fire training exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Clingerman)  

JORDAN

07.23.2018

Story by Master Sgt. Daniel Palermo 

Task Force Spartan

By Master Sgt. Daniel Palermo
28th Infantry Division, Task Force Spartan Public Affairs

AMMAN, Jordan – The Lion Flight training exercise between the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) on July 23 was a highly effective validation of a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Rapid Infiltration (HIRAIN) mission.
The U.S. and Jordan bi-lateral training exercise provided Soldiers an opportunity to work alongside each other to increase interoperability and sustain readiness between Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment (A/1-14 FA) and the Jordan Army’s 29th Royal HIMARS Battalion (RHB). The HIRAIN facilitated a shared understanding of M142 HIMARS rapid employment tactics, techniques and procedures with the tactical employment of Jordan HIMARS assets.
“The opportunity to leverage a close relationship with our JAF counterparts to execute this complex artillery raid was nothing short of amazing,” Capt. Robert Frost, commander of the A/1-14 FA, said. “The Soldiers and leaders of the 29th RHB were competent in their execution. I am positive that if needed, they could expertly execute a HIRAIN with great effects in the defense of Jordan.”
The morning began with final collaborative inspections and loading of the HIMARS onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III for a rapid deployment. After a short flight, the HIMARS was unloaded to conduct a fire mission.
In just seconds, the HIMARS was precisely aimed at a critical objective and deployed a long-range precision artillery Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) M31 that hit its assigned target. The GMLRS is a precision munition that utilizes global positioning system (GPS) technology for accuracy which reduces the risk of collateral damage.
The HIMARS provides the unique ability and flexibility to expend its payload at ground targets, and then swiftly move it to a different firing location. This increases the crew’s protection by providing the driver, gunner and launcher chief the advantage to quickly relocate and minimize the risk of revealing their position.
“The highly maneuverable and rapidly deployable aspects of the HIMARS provides maneuver commanders the ability to export precision strike fires where they can have the most devastating effect on the enemy,” said Frost. “The HIRAIN tactic so adeptly displayed by the 29th RHB today only extends that reach. I could not be more impressed with what was displayed today.”
The HIMARS long-range rocket launcher is one of the most technically advanced and sustainable long-range precision artillery system solutions that is most practical for deploying in austere locations. It allows the crew to quickly unload the system, deploy their payloads on targets and rapidly move to another location or return onto the aircraft.
The bilateral HIMARS live-fire training with U.S. and Jordanian soldiers working side-by-side builds greater relationships and increases shared understanding of HIMARS tactics, techniques, and procedures in preparation for future contingency operations.

• Date Taken: 07.23.2018
• Date Posted: 08.01.2018 03:35
• Story ID: 286684
• Location: JO